JP2008105456A - Occupant escape assist device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occupant escape assist device capable of reliably assisting escape of an occupant outside a vehicle irrespective of the deformation of a vehicle body in a collision of the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: A control circuit 17 for controlling the operation of a moving part 14 which is movable between the closed position to close an opening part 13 formed in a ceiling of a vehicle and the open position to open the opening part 13 transmits the control signal indicating the movement of the moving part 14 to the open position to a moving part actuator 15 when the deceleration of the vehicle detected by a G sensor 18 in a collision of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant escape assistance device that assists an occupant to escape outside a vehicle when a vehicle collides.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an occupant escape support device for assisting an occupant to escape outside a vehicle at the time of a vehicle collision, a G sensor that detects vehicle deceleration at the time of a collision, and a door and power based on the deceleration detected by the G sensor. An occupant escape assistance device has been proposed that includes a control means for electrically controlling the operation of each on-vehicle device such as a window (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In this occupant escape assistance device, when the vehicle collides, the control means detects the deceleration detected by the G sensor, and determines that it is a collision if the deceleration is greater than a predetermined value. If it is determined that there is a collision, the control means outputs a signal for opening the door to a drive circuit for opening and closing the door, for example. Thereby, since the door is opened at the time of a collision, an occupant in the vehicle can escape from the opened door to the outside of the vehicle.
JP-A-5-139246

  However, when the vehicle body is subjected to an impact that greatly deforms the front portion or the rear portion thereof, the door is particularly susceptible to damage, and the door cannot be opened due to the large deformation of the vehicle body. For this reason, even if the sensor, the control circuit, etc. operate normally at the time of the collision, it becomes difficult for the occupant to escape from the interior of the vehicle through the door.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an occupant escape assistance device that can reliably assist an occupant to escape out of the vehicle regardless of deformation of the vehicle body at the time of a vehicle collision.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an invention according to claim 1 is provided in an opening provided on a ceiling of a vehicle and having a size sufficient for a passenger in the vehicle to pass through, and a closed position for closing the opening. A movable part that is held and movable between the closed position and an open position that opens the opening, an impact detection means that detects an impact value at the time of collision of the vehicle, and controls the operation of the movable part. Control means, and when the impact value detected by the impact detection means exceeds a predetermined value, the control means releases the holding of the movable part to the closed position or the position to the closed position. After releasing the holding of the movable portion, the movable portion is moved toward the open position.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from the time of the collision of the vehicle or an elapsed time after the collision, and the control means is the time measuring means. When the time measured by (i) exceeds a predetermined time, after releasing the holding of the movable part in the closed position or releasing the holding of the movable part in the closed position, the movable part is moved to the open position. It is made to move toward.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the opening that is opened by the movement of the movable part is formed in the ceiling of the vehicle body, even when a collision occurs, the vehicle body is subjected to an impact that greatly deforms the front part or the rear part thereof. Even if it is done, the ceiling is difficult to deform, so the movement of the movable part is not hindered by the deformation of the vehicle body.

  As a result, when the impact value detected by the impact detection means during a vehicle collision exceeds a predetermined value, the holding of the movable part in the closed position for closing the opening is released by the control means for controlling the operation of the movable part. In such a case, the opening can be opened, so that the movable part can be easily moved, for example, manually to the open position where the opening is opened, and the control means can be moved to the closed position. When the movable part is moved toward the open position after releasing the holding of the part, the movable part can be easily moved to the open position.

  Therefore, when the vehicle collides, the passenger in the vehicle can surely escape out of the vehicle through the opened opening regardless of the deformation of the vehicle body.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time from the time of the collision of the vehicle or the elapsed time after the collision is provided, and the control means has a predetermined time measured by the time measuring means. When it has passed, after releasing the holding of the movable part in the closed position or releasing the holding of the movable part in the closed position, the movable part is moved toward the open position.

  Conventionally, immediately after a vehicle has collided, the movable part is placed in a state where it can move to an open position that opens the opening without any special condition, or moves toward the open position. When a secondary collision occurs where the vehicle collides immediately after the first collision, the passenger in the vehicle or the evacuating passenger is thrown out of the vehicle through the open opening due to the impact of the secondary collision, or immediately after the first collision. A large impact is directly applied from the rear vehicle to the occupant who escapes from the vehicle through the opening.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, the control means releases the holding of the movable part to the closed position or the movable part to the closed position when the time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined time. Since the movable part is moved toward the opening position after releasing the holding, the opening part can be opened or the opening part is opened after the predetermined time has elapsed since the collision.

  As a result, the opening does not open immediately after the vehicle collides, so that even if a secondary collision occurs, for example, immediately after the first collision, the rear vehicle collides with the collided vehicle. An occupant in the car or an escaping occupant is thrown out of the car through an open opening, or the occupant escapes out of the car through the opening immediately after the first collision, so that a large impact is directly applied to the occupant from the rear vehicle. This can be surely prevented.

  Therefore, it is possible to reliably reduce the damage caused to the occupant when a secondary collision occurs immediately after the collision of the vehicle, as compared with the conventional case.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an occupant escape assistance device 10 according to the present invention is configured to operate an opening 13 provided on a ceiling 12 of a vehicle body 11, a movable part 14 that opens and closes the opening, and the movable part. And a movable part actuator 15 as a driving source for driving.

  In the example shown in the figure, the opening 13 has a rectangular shape and is large enough for a passenger in the vehicle to pass through. In the illustrated example, the movable portion 14 is made of a plate member having a rectangular plane, and has a size that covers the opening 13. The movable portion 14 is movable between a closed position where the opening portion 13 is closed and an open position where the opening portion 13 is opened on a pair of guide rails 16 extending along the side edge 13a of the opening portion 13 in the vehicle width direction. It is supported by. The movable portion 14 is moved to a position corresponding to the operation position of the operation portion by driving the movable portion actuator 15 when an operation portion (not shown) provided in the vehicle is operated. When the drive of 15 stops, it is held at the moving position. The ceiling 12 is provided with a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the movable portion 14, and the movable portion actuator 15 is incorporated in the moving mechanism and operates under the control of a control circuit 17 described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the occupant escape assistance device 10 according to the present invention locks the G sensor 18 for detecting the deceleration of the vehicle and the doors 19 (see FIG. 1) of the vehicle body 11. And a door lock switch 20 for detecting an operation state of a lock operation section (not shown) provided in each door, and a door lock actuator 21 serving as a drive source for locking and unlocking each door 19. Furthermore, the occupant escape assistance device 10 includes a movable part switch 22 that detects the operation position of the operation part, and the control circuit 17 that controls the operations of the movable part actuator 15 and the door lock actuator 21.

  The G sensor 18, the door lock switch 20, the door lock actuator 21, the movable part actuator 15, and the movable part switch 22 are each connected to the control circuit 17.

  The G sensor 18 constitutes an impact detection means for detecting an impact value at the time of collision of the vehicle, and detects a deceleration when the vehicle collides as the impact value. The G sensor 18 sends a signal indicating the detected deceleration to the control circuit 17.

  The door lock switch 20 is in an open state, that is, an ON state when the lock operation unit is operated to a lock position for locking the door 19, and the lock operation unit is set to an unlock position for unlocking the door 19. When operated, the contact is in a closed state, that is, an OFF state. When the door lock switch 20 detects that the lock operation unit is operated to the lock position and the unlock position, the door lock switch 20 sends a detection signal indicating that to the control circuit 17.

  The movable part switch 22 is turned on when the operation part is operated, and is turned off when the operation part is not operated. When the movable portion switch 22 detects the operation position of the operation portion, the movable portion switch 22 sends a detection signal indicating the operation position of the operation portion to the control circuit 17.

  In the illustrated example, the control circuit 17 includes a determination unit 23 connected to the G sensor 18, the door lock switch 20 and the movable part switch 22, an output unit 24 connected to the movable part actuator 15 and the door lock actuator 21, and And a timer 25 which is a timer for measuring the elapsed time after the collision of the vehicle.

  The determination unit 23 determines whether the lock operation unit is in the lock position or the unlock position based on a detection signal from the door lock switch 20, and further detects a detection signal from the movable unit switch 22. Based on the above, it is determined in which position the operation position of the operation unit is located, and a signal indicating each determination result is sent to the output unit 24.

  Further, the determination unit 23 determines whether or not the deceleration value of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value based on the signal from the G sensor 18, and when it is determined that the deceleration value exceeds the predetermined value, that is, When it is determined that the vehicle has collided, based on detection signals from the door lock switch 20 and the movable part switch 22, an operation signal for operating the timer is sent to the timer 25.

  In the illustrated example, the time measuring unit 25 starts time measurement when receiving an operation signal from the determination unit 23 at the time of a vehicle collision, and sends a signal indicating the elapsed time from the time of receiving the operation signal to the determination unit 23. The determination unit 23 determines the elapsed time based on a signal from the time measuring unit 25 and, when detecting that the elapsed time has passed a predetermined time, sends a signal indicating the fact to the output unit 24. In the illustrated example, the predetermined time is set to 5 to 10 seconds from the time when the time measuring unit 25 receives the operation signal from the determination unit 23. For example, after the vehicle collides, the rear vehicle reaches the vehicle. It is defined based on the time until.

  The output unit 24 sends a control signal indicating that the door 19 is locked to the door lock actuator 21 when receiving a signal indicating that the lock operation unit is in the lock position, for example, from the determination unit 23. Further, when the output unit 24 receives a signal indicating the operation position of the operation unit from the determination unit 23, the output unit 24 sends a signal indicating that the movable unit 14 is moved to a position corresponding to the operation position to the movable unit actuator 15. . Further, when the vehicle collides, the output unit 24 sends a signal indicating that the door 19 is unlocked to the door lock actuator 21 based on a signal from the determination unit 23 as will be described later. Is sent to the movable part actuator 15 to indicate that it is moved toward the open position.

  The operation process of the control circuit 17 at the time of a vehicle collision will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The control circuit 17 determines whether or not the vehicle deceleration value detected by the G sensor 18 exceeds the predetermined value (step S1).

  When the determination unit 23 determines that the vehicle deceleration value does not exceed the predetermined value, that is, the control circuit 17 determines that the vehicle has not collided, the control circuit 17 repeatedly performs step S1.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 23 determines that the deceleration value of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined value, that is, the control circuit 17 determines that the vehicle has collided, the measurement time in the time measuring unit 25 is the predetermined time. It is determined by the determination part 23 whether time has passed (step S2).

  If the control circuit 17 determines that the time measured by the time measuring unit 25 has not passed the predetermined time, the control circuit 17 repeats step S2.

  On the other hand, when the control circuit 17 determines that the time measured by the time measuring unit 25 has exceeded the predetermined time, the control unit 17 determines that the lock operation unit is based on the detection signal from the door lock switch 20. The determination unit 23 determines which of the lock positions is set (step S3).

  When the determination unit 23 determines that the lock operation unit is in the unlock position, that is, the control circuit 17 determines that the door 19 is in the unlocked state, the control circuit 17 starts from the movable unit switch 22. Based on this detection signal, the determination unit 23 determines which position the operation position of the operation unit is located (step S4).

  When the determination unit 23 determines that the operation position of the operation unit is at a position other than the position corresponding to the open position of the movable unit 14, that is, the opening 13 is completely opened. If it is determined that it is partially or wholly closed, a control signal for moving the movable part 14 toward the open position is output to the movable part actuator 15 via the output part 24 (step S5). . Thereby, when the movable part actuator 15 is driven, the movable part 14 is moved to the open position, and the opening 13 is completely opened. Thereby, the passenger | crew in a vehicle can escape from the vehicle through the open part 13 opened.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 23 determines that the operation position of the operation unit is at a position corresponding to the open position of the movable unit 14, that is, the opening 13 is covered by the movable unit 14. If it is determined that the actuator is completely open, the process is terminated without outputting a control signal to the movable part actuator 15.

  When the determination unit 23 determines that the lock operation unit is in the locked position in step S3, that is, the control circuit 17 determines that the door 19 is in a locked state, the output unit A control signal for unlocking the door 19 is output to the door lock actuator 21 via 24 (step S6). As a result, the door lock actuator 21 is driven, and the door 19 is brought into the unlocked state, that is, the openable state. Thereafter, the control circuit 17 proceeds to step S4.

  According to the present embodiment, as described above, the opening 13 that is opened by the movement of the movable portion 14 is formed in the ceiling 12 of the vehicle body 11. Even if a large deformation impact is given, the ceiling 12 is not easily deformed, so that the movement of the movable portion 14 is not hindered by the deformation of the vehicle body 11.

  Thus, when the control circuit 17 moves the movable part 14 toward the open position when the deceleration value detected by the G sensor 18 at the time of the vehicle collision exceeds a predetermined value, the movable part 14 is opened. It can be easily moved to a position.

  Therefore, in the event of a vehicle collision, regardless of the deformation of the vehicle body 11, the passenger in the vehicle can surely escape out of the vehicle through the opened opening 13.

  In addition, as described above, the timer unit 25 of the control circuit 17 measures an elapsed time from the time of the vehicle collision, and the control circuit 17 determines that when the time measured by the timer unit 25 exceeds a predetermined time, The movable part 14 placed at a position other than the open position is moved toward the open position.

  Conventionally, immediately after the vehicle collides, the movable part 14 is placed in a state where it can move to an open position that opens the opening 13 without any special condition, or moves toward the open position. For example, if a secondary collision occurs where the rear vehicle collides immediately after the first collision, an occupant in the vehicle or an evacuating passenger is thrown out of the vehicle through the opening 13 opened by the impact of the secondary collision, or the first A large impact is directly applied from the rear vehicle to the occupant who escapes from the vehicle through the opening 13 immediately after the collision.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, as described above, the timer unit 25 of the control circuit 17 measures the elapsed time from the time of the collision of the vehicle, and the control circuit 17 determines the time measured by the timer unit 25. When the vehicle has collided with an impact value exceeding the predetermined value, the movable portion 14 moved to a position other than the open position is moved toward the open position when a predetermined time has passed. Then, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the opening 13 is opened.

  Thus, since the opening 13 does not open immediately after the vehicle collides, even if a secondary collision in which the rear vehicle collides with the collided vehicle occurs immediately after the first collision, the impact due to the secondary collision. As a result, the passenger in the vehicle or the passenger who is evacuating is thrown out of the vehicle through the opening 13 opened, or the passenger evacuates out of the vehicle through the opening 13 immediately after the first collision. It can be surely prevented from being given.

  Therefore, it is possible to reliably reduce the damage caused to the occupant when a secondary collision occurs immediately after the collision of the vehicle, as compared with the conventional case.

  In this embodiment, the movable portion 14 is moved between the open position and the closed position by driving the movable portion actuator 15, and is held at the moving position when the drive of the movable portion actuator 15 is stopped. In place of this, although not shown, a lock mechanism for releasably holding the movable portion 14 in the closed position and a movable portion locking actuator for operating the lock mechanism are provided. The movable portion 14 can be manually moved in a state where the holding by the mechanism is released.

  In this case, at the time of a vehicle collision, the control circuit 17 determines that the deceleration detected by the G sensor 18 exceeds the predetermined value and the time measured by the time measuring unit 25 has passed the predetermined time. If the determination unit 23 determines that the movable part 14 is held in the closed position when the determination is made by the part 23, the closed position by the lock mechanism is applied to the movable part locking actuator via the output unit 24. A control signal indicating that the holding of the movable part 14 is released is sent. Accordingly, the lock mechanism is operated by driving the movable portion locking actuator, and the holding of the movable portion 14 in the closed position by the lock mechanism is released. Thereby, the movable part 14 can be moved toward the said open position.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the door lock actuator 21 is driven to unlock the door 19 in order to open the door 19 in the event of a vehicle collision, but instead or in addition to this. In order to unlock the in-vehicle devices other than the door 19 such as the power window and the seat belt provided in the door 19, an actuator for operating them can be driven under the control of the control circuit 17.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the time measuring unit 25 has shown an example in which time measurement is started when an operation signal is received from the determination unit 23 at the time of a vehicle collision. Instead, for example, the time is detected by the G sensor 18. When the deceleration value exceeds the predetermined value, a signal indicating that is sent directly from the G sensor 18 to the time measuring unit 25 without the determination unit 23, and when the signal is received from the G sensor 18, the time measuring unit 25. Can start timing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the control unit 17 includes the timer unit 25 for measuring the elapsed time from the collision point or the elapsed time after the collision is shown, but instead of this, the timer unit 25 is It can be provided separately from the control circuit 17.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the impact detection means for detecting the impact value at the time of the collision of the vehicle is configured by the G sensor 18 for detecting the deceleration value of the vehicle is shown. The impact detection means can be configured with an impact force sensor that detects the impact force at the time of collision as an impact value.

  In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the control circuit 17 includes the timer unit 25. However, instead of this, the timer unit 25 can be omitted.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle in which the movable portion 14 is provided on the roof 12 of the vehicle body 11 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is shown. The present invention can be applied to a vehicle provided on the roof 12 so as to be movable in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

It is a top view which shows roughly the vehicle carrying the passenger | crew escape assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the passenger | crew escape assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the action | operation process of the control circuit at the time of the collision of a vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Crew escape support device 12 Ceiling 13 Opening part 14 Movable part 17 Control means (control circuit)
18 Impact detection means (G sensor)
25 Timekeeping means (timekeeping section)

Claims (2)

  An opening provided on a ceiling of the vehicle and having a size sufficient for an occupant in the vehicle to pass through, and a closed position for closing the opening, and the closed position and the open position for opening the opening. A movable portion movable between the vehicle, an impact detection means for detecting an impact value when the vehicle collides, and a control means for controlling the operation of the movable portion, the control means being detected by the impact detection means. When the applied impact value exceeds a predetermined value, release the holding of the movable part to the closed position or release the holding of the movable part to the closed position, and then turn the movable part to the open position. An occupant escape support device characterized by being moved.   Time counting means for measuring an elapsed time from the time of the collision of the vehicle or an elapsed time after the collision is provided, and the control means moves to the closed position when the time measured by the time measuring means has exceeded a predetermined time. 2. The occupant escape support according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion is moved toward the open position after the movable portion is released from the closed position or the movable portion is released from the closed position. apparatus.

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